Bafta Winner Highlights Need for Greater Understanding of Tourette's After Broadcast Incident
Lauren Evans, the Bafta-winning casting director behind the film I Swear, which portrays the life of Scottish Tourette syndrome campaigner John Davidson, has called for "more education and understanding" following a racist slur uttered involuntarily during a broadcast.
Evans expressed being in "complete shock" after receiving the award at Sunday’s ceremony for her work on the film. However, she noted that the celebration was "overshadowed" by the attention drawn to a slur shouted by Davidson as an involuntary tic while two black actors were presenting an award on stage.
The BBC issued an apology for failing to edit out the incident from the broadcast. Kate Phillips, the BBC’s chief content officer, informed staff that a second slur was successfully removed from the coverage.
Evans, originally from Carmarthenshire, reflected on her casting experience, having previously worked on global successes such as Netflix’s Sex Education and the film Paddington 2. She described the casting process for I Swear—which tells the true story of Davidson’s experience with Tourette syndrome—as "unique."
"When it comes to casting something like this, you have to look beyond their skills as an actor [and] you have to look to them as a person and see that they have the right sort of commitment, the right work ethic, the tenacity.
"The fact that it's such a low budget, there's certain people who won't consider a film of this size and budget, so you're also having to contend with that as well."
The lead role was awarded to Yorkshire actor Robert Aramayo, who won the Bafta for Best Actor.
"Rob is that kind of actor where he immerses himself so deeply you sort of don't know where he ends and the character begins," Evans said.
"You get a lot of people saying, 'he wouldn't have [won] if it wasn't for you'.
"It's very nice validation but at the end of the day it's what he brought to it, so he might not have it without me but I wouldn't have mine without him, so we sort of go hand in hand."
Evans recounted attending the ceremony in a casual manner, wearing only one shoe and chewing gum, not anticipating a win against casting agents from high-profile projects such as Marty Supreme, starring Timothée Chalamet, and Sinners, featuring Michael B Jordan.
"I feel so privileged to be in a job where I can work on things that make a difference and prompt a discussion.
"To tell [Davidson's] story and to put it out there and for people to keep talking about it, and to raise awareness is hugely important and to bring people together to celebrate difference and tolerance for understanding.
"I'm very grateful but I do find the whole setting [of the Baftas] quite overwhelming, it's just not part of my life."
Despite the film's success, the BBC faced criticism for airing one of Davidson’s tics in which he shouted a racist slur directed at Sinners stars Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo while they were presenting an award.
Davidson expressed that he was "deeply mortified" by the incident. The broadcast sparked debate among celebrities regarding whether the comment was intentional.
Kate Phillips, the BBC’s chief content officer, communicated to BBC staff via email on Tuesday that the slur was broadcast in error, and that a second slur had been edited out.
What is Tourette Syndrome?
Tourette syndrome is a neurological motor disorder characterised by sudden, involuntary, and repetitive movements or vocalisations known as tics.
Tics involving sounds may include various noises or words, and approximately 10% to 30% of individuals with the condition produce socially unacceptable words as part of their tics.
Evans commented on the impact of the incident:
"It's really upsetting I feel for John and Michael B Jordan and Delroy Lindo that the whole evening has sort of been overshadowed by this conversation.
"There must be more education and more understanding about the base-guarding of things like this, and the tics and the language and what comes out.
"Not just for John or those who have the tics, but for those who are on the receiving end of it, because obviously it's involuntary."
Currently, Evans is working on casting for an upcoming BBC comedy series starring Ruth Jones and Steve Speirs. She is seeking a nine-year-old boy with a Merthyr Tydfil accent to portray Speirs’ grandson.
Regarding the qualities required to be a good casting agent, Evans stated:
"You've got to have good instincts, but I think you've just got to really love actors.
"You've got to love what they do, what they bring, how vulnerable they make themselves and all that goes with it."
